DVD drives wont read pressed DVDs, but read everything else

[combatcupcake]

I have 2 DVD drives.
Pioneer DVD-Rom DVD-105 (slot loading)
and Sony DRU-530A

Until a month or so ago I had no problems, and I havent made any hardware changes, and no real software changes that I can remember.

The problem is that out of nowhere, neither drive will read most pressed (store bought) DVDs, both drives read pressed CDs, and DVDs I've burned. Some DVDs will work, but most do not. The Sony Burner also burns DVDs fine.
The only problem is with reading, on BOTH drives.

I've tried everything I can think of. Uninstalled software that might have been the issue, tried in safemode, changed IDE cable, removed a drive, restarted then replaced. Nothing is fixing it.
The Sont DVD-RW just wont read DVDs, the Pioneer DVD-ROM spits the disc back out.

 

[rvnguy]

If you are refering to DVD movies...there is a decoder app to allow these to be read. If using XP I believe this is included but might be incorrect. I use PowerDVD for viewing and t has the decoder as part of the install.

I would try removing both DVDs from the win/sys device manager. shut down remove cables from the drives > reboot check that they are removed > shut down connect one drive and reboot win should auto recognize that there is new hardware and install it. try a DVD... if ok shut down and connect the other drive & reboot...

Post back if no joy with any error msg's etc

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[cdogg]

1) If you have Alcohol 120% installed, remove it.

2) Did you already try one of the drives on the IDE channel by itself?

3) Did you recently try a firmware upgrade? (I'm not saying you need to do this, but if you did recently, then this could be your problem)

4) Because they read burned DVD's and pressed CD's just fine, it sounds like a Windows or software issue. Try the following fix:
Autoplay Fix

5) If all else fails, I recommend you throw a spare hard drive in the system, install Windows from scratch without installing any 3rd-party apps. See if either drive still has an issue.
(alternatively, you could try the drive(s) in another PC)

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[combatcupcake]

I dont have Alcohol.
I will have to try 1 of the drives in another machine, and at the same time the one thats left on its own ide.

I was about to reinstall PowerDVD so I uninstalled it, then restarted, and before installing it again the Sony DVD seems to be working. Still not the Pioneer though.

I tried the autoplay fix thing, no change.

I plan on redoing windows on my system anyway soon, but I want to make sure this wont pass through. I still have to try them in DOS and in another machine, just to make sure if its only in windows and if not the drive.

 

[cdogg]

But the problem you have is reading DVD's, and the 98SE bootdisk option is only for CD-ROM support. I'm not sure the DOS test is going to tell you anything. Moving one to another PC should.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884